About

WorkReady Philadelphia, managed by the Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN), is a portfolio of programs that address the skills gap for vulnerable young people.

With programs in the summer and year-round, WorkReady provides young people career-connected education designed to create long-lasting relationships while gaining the critical 21st century skills that are foundational to entering the workforce. WorkReady addresses the importance of youth employment by providing young people an opportunity to learn and bringing employers new energy, creativity, comfort with technology and eagerness to learn.

WorkReady's continuum of models connect our city's young people to opportunity. PYN works to leverage funding through blended private and public investments that financially support a young person's work experience. Through a competitive procurement process, WorkReady's network of youth serving-organizations (providers) receive administrative and financial support to coordinate with worksites where young people receive a quality work experience. Businesses and organizations throughout the region can also sponsor and/or hire young people to create meaningful experiences, while shaping the future workforce of our city.

Youth Stories

Every connection is important so I try to cultivate those bonds and avoid burning bridges.

Tell us about how you got connected to WorkReady?
I got connected to WorkReady through a former intern named Courtney. He and my brother had been childhood friends for years and my brother informed him I was looking for a job back when I was in 8th grade (age 14). Courtney told me all about the program and brought me into one of their meetings. He thought I would be great for the program and from there my journey began.

What keeps you coming back to WorkReady year after year?
Experience and opportunity keep bringing me back year after year. To start at the young age of 14 at an engineering firm and now three years later to be working in the very building (Comcast) that I see on my way to school every day is an absolute blessing. I acquired so much experience over the past years and I can honestly say I learned from each one.

You have been with WorkReady since you were young. Are there any specific lessons that you learned from your WorkReady experience?
There are many lessons I will carry with me because of this experience. The first is that it’s okay to not know what you want to do in life. Many adults in the career field informed me that they switched their majors many times. It’s okay to be unsure, but as long as you are passionate and ambitious, destiny will find its way to you. I also learned that connections are indeed one of the most important things when gaining experience in the workforce.

How are your relationships with you current and previous supervisors? What advice would you give to new WorkReady youth on professional relationships and how important those connections are?
I still keep in contact with my supervisors and reach out whenever I can. Although, I'm very busy I still try to find time to connect with them because they gave me so many opportunities. My former supervisors sometimes reach out to me because they saw me in the newspaper. Every connection is important so I try to cultivate those bonds and avoid burning bridges. I would suggest that any new WorkReady participants connect with each of their coworkers and supervisors because all they want to do is help. Former supervisors make for great resources, as well as mentors, so why not maintain that relationship? You never know how far it can take you.

What advice would you give someone your age who’s showing up for their first day of work?
My advice to someone showing up to their first day of work is simple: Make your presence known. I have attended meetings and orientations where I made an impression and after these activities were over I would see those same people and they would remember my name. A positive impression is key to making those lasting connections.

I am looking forward to gaining the experience that I need to find a job in politics during and after college.

Besides earning a paycheck, what are you most looking forward to about your internship?
I am looking forward to gaining the experience that I need to find a job in politics during and after college. Also, I am looking forward to the connections I will make throughout the internship which will help me to locate scholarships for college, as well as a job in the future.

What specific skills do you hope to gain from your internship experience?
I hope to gain the ability to take notes during meetings and lectures, create presentations and speeches, and gain an increased knowledge in public speaking.

Why do you think early work experiences are important?
Early work experiences are important because in the world today you need to know someone to get where you want to go. Making connections is one of the most important aspects of finding job placement. The earlier you make those connections, the better off you will be.

What is one goal you would like to accomplish during your internship, and how do you plan to accomplish it?
During my internship, I want to be able to understand every aspect of government. I will work to accomplish this by visiting each of the different departments that my office works with and spending a few hours during my internship learning how they operate and how their operations affects the population as a whole.

Early work experiences are important because it gives you the sense of how to work, how to be accountable, and how to manage your time.

Besides earning a paycheck, what are you most looking forward to about your internship?
I am looking forward to new opportunities and making new connections. Also this gives me something good to put on my resume when I am applying for future jobs.

What specific skills do you hope to gain from your internship experience?
I'm going to go with costumer service because this is a skill that I can take with me and use at pretty much any job that I get in the future. Plus having good customer service and speaking skills are good things to have in any job industry.

Why do you think early work experiences are important?
I think early work experiences are important because it gives you the sense of how to work, how to be accountable, and how to manage your time. Also when you're applying for jobs most jobs want you to already have some type of experience.

What is one goal you would like to accomplish during your internship, and how do you plan to accomplish it?
One goal I would like to accomplish is getting something out of this that can help me when I'm going to college, such as shadowing someone or reading about what Drexel has to offer for college.

My favorite part of my internship is engaging in conversation with people from all over the world and meeting new people.

Thus far in your internship, what is one thing you have learned that you did not know two weeks ago?
Thus far in my internship, I have learned several communication skills and public speaking skills. Also, each day I learn more about the museum I work at.

What contributions have you made towards the organization you are working for?
I have bought merchandise from the gift store in order to increase profit for the museum and I have assisted visitors around the museum.

What is your favorite part of your internship and why?
My favorite part of my internship is engaging in conversation with people from all over the world and meeting new people. I also enjoy working with children, getting them to think about themes that we explore and lastly, creating new activities that can help our visitors better understand what our the National Liberty Museum is about and what "Liberty" means to them. Overall working in the education department has made me an assiduous employee.

What is your proudest accomplishment thus far?
My proudest accomplishment thus far is learning the admission prices and assisting tour groups to the exhibits inside the museum. I also work diligently to make each visitor's experience comfortable and memorable.

Besides earning a paycheck, what are you most looking forward to about your internship?
I would like to increase my knowledge as well as getting work experience.

What specific skills do you hope to gain from your internship experience?
Time management.

Why do you think early work experiences are important?
Individuals need early experience because of today's technology.

What is one goal you would like to accomplish during your internship, and how do you plan to accomplish it?
One goal I have is time management. I plan on accomplishing this by observing my supervisor and taking constructive criticism on it.

Besides earning a paycheck, what are you most looking forward to about your internship?
I am most looking forward to gaining amazing work experience at a nonprofit. Philadelphia Youth Network has done so much for the youth in Philadelphia that sometimes goes unnoticed and I want to be a part of letting people know the great work PYN does.

What specific skills do you hope to gain from your internship experience?
I hope to gain marketing skills which can help me as a brand ambassador in the future. Communications control the representation of the company and I hope to gain a better understanding of how to effectively market a successful nonprofit.

Why do you think early work experiences are important?
Early work experience is important because youth should be prepared before they apply for their first real job at 22. These skills transfer over into other aspects of your life making you a well-rounded individual and easily a better candidate for college.

What is one goal you would like to accomplish during your internship, and how do you plan to accomplish it?
I hope to become a very valuable asset at PYN in which I am seen as a part of the team. I want to contribute something towards the longevity of PYN that is irreplaceable.

Andre began his first WorkReady summer internship in 2003 as a rising junior at Kensington High School. He was not sure of what he wanted to do, but he knew that he wanted to work in an office setting. For three summers, he worked at the AFL-CIO, where he was able to not only get hands-on office experience and develop skills, but also to form relationships with staff members, some of whom he remains connected to today. He also interned at a pharmaceutical company and at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital working in the patient-testing center.

His strong focus on education led to numerous scholarships, which came in handy when he was accepted into Bloomsburg University. After realizing that he wasn't fond of chemistry, he changed his major from pre-pharmacy to medical imaging. Upon graduating from Bloomsburg, he went on to Johns Hopkins School of Medical Imaging to study medical imaging and nuclear medicine technology.

Today, Andre is a certified nuclear medicine technologist working for various hospitals in the Greater Philadelphia region and is training to be a certified dual role medical interpreter. His accomplishments are quite remarkable for someone who, prior to going to college, had never been outside of Philadelphia. He sees his return to his hometown as a chance to expose young people from the neighborhood where he grew up to the educational and career opportunities that are available to them. "I feel like I can help out so much. They need to know that there's so much more to this world than their block."

Odelia began WorkReady Philadelphia during her freshmen year at Olney High School in 2004, working at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children as a Health Tech student. During her four years in the program, she worked in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Short Procedure Unit, Special Care and Burn Unit, and Adolescent Medicine. Her experience working in the Adolescent Medicine department and talking to teens that were pregnant or HIV positive motivated her to pursue a career in Clinical Adolescent Psychology. She believes that the experience she gained through her participation in WorkReady, combined with her strong academic record, are what allowed her to acquire a full scholarship to Rosemont College, where she received her bachelor's and master's degrees.

Odelia currently works with the United States Navy Weapon Systems Support as a Management and Program Analyst where she provides counseling to high school and college students. She also assists separating Navy sailors with finding employment and helps with diversity recruitment. In the fall, she will begin a Ph.D program at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Clinical Psychology. "I am pursuing my goals thanks to the exposure I was provided to a career that I may not have thought was a possibility for me had I not been able to see it, up close and personal, as a high school student. I am proof of what can happen when potential meets access."

In summer 2010, Patrick worked at UCI Architects in Center City. He participated in WorkReady through Boat People SOS, a national Vietnamese-American community-based organization. When he learned where he would be working, he was excited at the prospect of expanding his graphic design skills to the world of architectural design.

At his internship, Patrick was introduced to AutoCAD, a computer program used to create 2D and 3D designs in the architecture field. After becoming familiar with the program, he employed his new-found skills to design the renovations for a house. "You have to be accurate. The drawings have to be correct because contractors will use them to build." The house renovation project gave Patrick a great sense of accomplishment; he completed it on his own from start to finish.

Patrick was also able to work on an assignment that merged his passion for serving the community with his internship duties. Along with a co-worker, he designed an addition for a homeless shelter in Camden, NJ. "It was big and important. What I did will help many, many people." This experience also allowed him to collaborate with a colleague, something he knows is a necessary skill in the workforce. Patrick feels that his WorkReady internship has benefited him both personally and professionally. It enhanced his social and verbal skills, exposed him to an office environment, and showed him the importance of asking for help when needed. "Participating in WorkReady puts you ahead of the game."

Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) was so impressed with Tiana after employing her in summer 2010 that they re-hired her in 2011. She plans to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy, a choice that she attributes to her internship. A 2011 graduate of G.W. Carver High School for Engineering and Science, Tiana just completed her first year at Penn State University's main campus.

In January 2012, Tiana sat on a panel moderated by U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan and NAACP President and CEO, Benjamin Todd Jealous at the launch of the national Summer Jobs+ initiative. Along with five other youth from across the country, Tiana shared how her WorkReady experience had a positive impact on her life both personally and professionally. She also had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet President Obama and receive a tour of the White House.

"My work experience helped me to grow into a better person. I had never even heard of Occupational Therapy until my WorkReady internship at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. My summer job allowed me to find my passion."

Programs

Year-Round Programs

Year-round programs offer opportunities for eligible young people ages 12 - 21 both in-school and out-of-school. These programs focus on career-connected education, credential attainment to pave a viable career pathway and placement in post-secondary education or employment opportunities.

WorkReady Summer Models

WorkReady summer models offer educationally-enriched work exposure to in-school and out-of-school youth and young adults, ages 14-21. Participants complete a six-week (120 hour), paid work experience that fosters the acquisition of the 21st century skills through work-based learning. This continuum of models challenges youth to understand the correlations between work experience, high school completion and credential attainment, and how those variables impact their potential for college and career success.

Get Connected

In Philadelphia, our work as a city is not complete until equitable systems are built that enable every young person to access meaningful, career-readiness programming, achieve a secondary credential and succeed in their post-secondary choice.

Building scalable solutions for young people that benefit our city is the cornerstone of this work. Investing in WorkReady is an investment in the future of Philadelphia.

Youth Application

Businesses and individuals can have a significant impact in shaping the future workforce of our region when they participate in WorkReady programming.

Joining WorkReady Philadelphia as an employer allows you to build a strong community, improve outcomes for young people and increase your bottom line. The benefits are endless, and the impact is timeless.

Connect to WorkReady:

Financially sponsor a young person's summer work experience ($1,800 provides one summer opportunity)

Hire a young person at your workplace

Get recognition for your pre-existing summer internship program with the WorkReady Seal of Approval

Worksite Toolkit

Resources specific for those participating in the WorkReady internship program.

WorkReady providers are youth-serving organizations that offer high-quality experiences, through three summer program models: career-exposure, service-based learning, and work experience. Providers serve young people ages 12-24.

Current list of contracted WorkReady Providers

Across the city, public and private investors can make a significant impact by investing in WorkReady and helping to shape the future workforce of our region. Investing in WorkReady allows you to build a strong community and improves outcomes for young people. The benefits are endless and the impact is timeless. Be part of something spectacular in Philadelphia by committing to join us on this journey.

Invest in summer work experiences

There are several ways that investors and employers can support WorkReady Philadelphia. These include financially sponsoring youth work experiences through investments and Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, hiring young people at your workplace, becoming a Seal of Approval supporter, and more.

Create unique funding opportunities

There are many ways to partner with PYN outside of donations and work experiences. If you are interested in discussing sponsorship and in-kind donations, or interested in exploring public-private partnerships, contact Stephanie Gambone, Executive Vice President.

Host Committee Partnered with Local Organizations to Provide Skills-Building Opportunities to Philadelphia Youth, Part of its Commitment to Using the Occasion of the DNC to have a Positive Impact on the Local Community Continue

This week, the U.S. Department of Labor awarded the City of Philadelphia a $2 million Summer Jobs and Beyond Grant, which will provide summer and year-round part-time job opportunities for in-school youth... Continue